THE RETURN OF THE FLAG.

THE RETURN OF THE FLAG.
512,4

(Minna Irving in Leslie’s Weekly.)
Resolutions directing the city clerk of Boston to restore to
New Orleans the confederate flag which was taken by
General Butler as a trophy of war when he took possession of chat city In April, 1862, have been Lied with the clerk of the common council of Boston-Daily paper. Yea! give them back the captured flag,
The trophy of a day Which now, with all its bitter strife,
Thank God, has passed away.
Return it to the city with A crescent on her brow,
For all her daughters and her sons Are true and loyal now.

Ben Butler took the standard down One morn in 62,
When all the sweet magnolia flowers
Were wet with crimson dew,
And Boston gives it back again,
When like a shining fleece
King Cotton o’er the battle-fields
Has spread the snows of peace.

Tis consecreted by the blood
Of those who held it dear,
The sorrow of the hopeless cause,
And many a mother’s tear.
So fold it down in lavender
In memory of the brave
Who found upon the field of war
Not glory, but a grave.

Its faded colors, dim with smoke,
No more aloft will float,
But rest beside the rusty sword,
The gray and tattered coat.
For time has closed the gaping wounds,
And healed the livid scars,
And woven Dixie’s name anew Among the stripes and stars.